First two stretch goal unlocked! See stretch goal section below for info!
Tony Sandoval is a comic book writer and artist known for his dreamlike, surreal storytelling and distinctive, atmospheric artwork. His works blend fantasy, horror, and complex emotional depth, creating narratives that feel equally whimsical and haunting.
Magnetic Press has proudly published several of his works earning acclaim for DoomBoy, A Glance Backward, and Rendez-vous in Phoenix, the latter being an autobiographical account of his journey crossing the Mexican border for love. His books have been nominated for multiple Eisner Awards, including Best Writer, Best Painter/Artist, and Best Publication for Teens.
Sandoval's work has resonated internationally, with his books being translated into numerous languages and published across different markets. He continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, captivating readers with his evocative, painterly illustrations and his dreamlike, poetic narratives.
Now, we're proud to offer his latest release as part of Magnetic's Tony Sandoval Library.
The newest book by Tony Sandoval, written by prolific comics author JOANN SFAR (Dungeon, etc), tells the whimsical story of medieval dragons coming out of their secret underground hiding after centuries of solitude and legend. When their age-old agreement with mankind to stay dormant by sacrificing other magical beings is interrupted, the Great Awakening begins...
Set in turn-of-the-century Paris during the Belle Epoque of 1900, this witty, action-packed adventure follows a two-fisted Hawaiian Princess and a mermaid rescued from sacrifice through the catacombs to Notre-Dame, as gargoyles come to life all over the city.
This premium hardcover measures 8.5 x 11" and 104 pages in length, sporting Magnetic's signature curved corners and spotUV elements.
DOOMBOY
Tony's first book published in English, this tale of teenage angst, loss, and heavy metal earned the author his first Eisner nomination for Best Publication for Teens.
Young D never wanted to be a rock legend, but when his girlfriend passed away, he took to the beach and played his heart out on his electric guitar. Unbeknownst to him, that heartfelt session was picked up by radios all across town, and soon the mysterious "Doomboy" was famous. Navigating rumors, heartache, and the traps of fame, D's story is one most of us can relate to as awkward teens.
This landscape hardcover measures 11" x 8.5" and 136 pages in length, with Magnetic's signature curved corners and spotUV elements.
WATERSNAKES
With WATERSNAKES, Tony builds a larger universe blending dreamlike supernatural fantasy with coming-of-age themes.
Mila is a solitary teenager who befriends Agnes, an adventurous girl who turns out to be a ghost. But Agnes is no ordinary spirit - she carries the essence of an ancient fallen king, and her mouth is filled with teeth that were once the king's guardian warriors... As their friendship deepens, Mila is drawn into a mysterious and eerie world where dreams and reality blur.
This premium hardcover is 8.5" x 11" and 144 pages long, with Magnetic's signature curved corners and spotUV elements. WATERSNAKES earned Tony three Eisner nominations for Best Publication for Teens, Best Writer/Artist, and Best Painter/Multimedia Artist. This title has been out of print, making way for this new edition.
1000 STORMS
As the spiritual sequel to WATERSNAKES, 1000 STORMS expands on Tony's dreamlike universe with a new tale that intersects with WATERSNAKES (for those who wish to piece the stories together).
Lisa is a lonely girl who finds herself scoffed and bullied by the other kids who think she's a witch merely because she finds solitude wandering nature, collecting bones and pebbles. One day, Lisa discovers a mysterious tree that serves as a gateway to a parallel world filled with demons set on invading our reality. Despite being shunned by her peers, she is the only one with the strength and bravery to face the looming danger...
This hardcover is 8.5" x 11" and 144 pages long, with Magnetic's signature curved corners and spotUV elements.
A GLANCE BACKWARD
A GLANCE BACKWARD is a surreal, introspective graphic novel by Pierre Paquet, illustrated by Tony Sandoval, that explores themes of childhood, grief, and the transition into adulthood. The story follows Joey, an eleven-year-old boy whose world is turned upside down when he finds himself pulled into the walls of his own home, trapped in a strange realm where each brick is a new experience.
As Joey searches for a way out, he encounters intriguing and eerie characters who guide him through a journey of self-discovery and emotional turmoil. The novel, reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, blends fantasy and psychological depth, offering a poignant reflection on responsibility, love, and the inevitable realities of life and death.
With Sandoval’s signature watercolor illustrations, this 8.5" x 11" book delivers a hauntingly beautiful visual experience, making it a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant 92-page read, featuring Magnetic's signature curved corners and spotUV elements. This title has been out of print, making way for this new edition.
RENDEZ-VOUS IN PHOENIX
RENDEZ-VOUS IN PHOENIX is an autobiographical account of an event in Tony's life that explores themes of love, immigration, and personal sacrifice. The story follows Sandoval himself, a young artist from northwestern Mexico who is deeply in love with his American girlfriend. However, the frustrating visa process stands in the way of their relationship, forcing him to make a daring decision—smuggling himself across the U.S. border.
As he embarks on this perilous journey, Sandoval faces harsh desert conditions, barbed wire, and the ever-present threat of border patrol. His story humanizes the struggles of immigration, offering a poignant and deeply personal perspective on the risks people take for love and a better future.
RENDEZ-VOUS IN PHOENIX sheds light on the realities of immigration while celebrating the power of love. Told in 80 pages at 8.5" x 11", this volume features Magnetic's signature curved corners and spotUV elements. This title has been out of print, making way for this new edition.
THE WINDY DAY
Tony's first illustrated children's book follows a young girl who sets out to fly her kite when her peaceful day takes a troubled turn. A cloud of mischievous goblin pirates causes her all sorts of trouble, but her day is rescued by a big black wolf who turns out to be far more friendly than he appears to be. As their friendship grows, the wolf helps her fly her kite higher than ever before, and she names him Courage. Through this magical adventure, the girl learns to overcome fear and embrace bravery.
This 32-page children's book is 9.5" x 8" with Magnetic's signature curved corners and spotUV elements.
Tony Sandoval is a Mexican comic book artist and writer known for his dreamlike, surreal storytelling and distinctive, atmospheric artwork. Born in 1973 in northwestern Mexico, Sandoval initially worked in graphic design before shifting his focus to comics, where he quickly gained recognition for his unique blend of fantasy, horror, and emotional depth. His works, including DoomBoy, Watersnakes, and A Glance Backward, have been published internationally, earning him multiple Eisner Award nominations. Sandoval’s autobiographical graphic novel, Rendez-vous in Phoenix, recounts his perilous journey across the U.S.-Mexico border for love, offering a deeply personal perspective on immigration and sacrifice.
With a career spanning Europe and beyond, Sandoval continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, captivating readers with his evocative, painterly illustrations and poetic narratives.
To make it easy for you, we have prepared several pre-configured tiers, many of which are offered at special discounted pricing.
You can personalize and modify any Tier with ADD-ONS!
Wholesale discounts are available for Retailers.
Please pledge at any desired tier, which you can modify with desired products in the post-campaign pledge manager. We will then calculate and apply the appropriate wholesale discount before charging your payment method. Wholesale discount requires proof of retail qualification.
AMBASSADORS CLUB
In addition to your pledge tier rewards, ALL BACKERS WILL RECEIVE AN EQUIVALENT NUMBER OF AMBASSADOR POINTS AS THEIR TOTAL PLEDGE VALUE. If you aren't familiar with our Ambassador Point program, visit our webstore for more information.
Should we exceed our initial goal, we will reveal a series of stretch goals that will unlock material improvements to the books and bonus items that will be added to various pledge tier levels for FREE.
This project ships worldwide. That means Customs-friendly delivery with VAT accounted for prior to shipping.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The pledge prices listed DO NOT INCLUDE SHIPPINGOR VAT, which will be calculated and applied when you fill out the final survey after the campaign. This helps us ensure sufficient postage is collected without overcharging you with unspecific estimates upfront. Trust us – with shipping rates and tariffs fluctuating as rapidly as they have for the last several years, this is best for everyone!
Final rates will be calculated based on actual weights and current postage ratesAT THE TIME OF CAMPAIGNCLOSURE, but as of today's estimates, you can expect a 4 lb order (~1 book plus extras) to be somewhere in these ballpark ranges:
DOMESTIC UNITED STATES: $16-19
EU/UK: $28-46
CANADA: $24-30
AUSTRALIA: $30-40
CHINA/MACAO/HK: $36-42
NORWAY/SWITZERLAND:$35-42
Lesser weights may come in a bit lower, and heavier packages may come in higher, but we will do our best to offer the most reasonable rates available at the time of fulfillment. Please note the Slipcases may weigh in at 8-10 lbs, pending determination during production.
Global Shipping conditions and customs/duties continue to make international shipping rates and delivery times somewhat unpredictable. While we have built our schedule with what should be ample padding for unforeseen delays, things happen. We will do our best to be prepared for anything that could impact our shipping estimates.
The books are complete and in the final stages of production. Any campaign-exclusive bonus items will be ordered immediately once orders are locked in the Pledge Manager. We aim to have all items in our hands in October 2025 so that we can begin fulfillingorders in November. This estimate includes what we hope will be sufficient padding for any unexpected shipping delays that might arise. Who knows -- if things go well, we might even be able to start shipping sooner!
Having successfully completed and fulfilled nearly 50 crowdfunding campaigns across several platforms over the years, we're quite experienced at delivering everything as offered. With well over 300 published titles under our belt, Magnetic Press is ready to continue that expectation with this newest title. Aside from Force Majeure surprises (pandemics, natural disasters, significant global or domestic shipping disruptions, etc), this should be extremely straightforward. The books themselves are print-ready, and additional production work brought about for this campaign, such as stretch goal production and ancillary items, will be completed in a timely fashion for a November 2025 release.
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Magnetic Press publishes graphic novels, art books, and tabletop games curated with a focus on internationally recognized content and talent presented with premium production value. The Magnetic brand was founded by writer and video game producer Mike Kennedy in 2013, featuring creators both new and established from around the world, sharing their stories with an English-language audience often for the first time. Their award-winning library includes numerous celebrated titles such as the Loveseries of wordless wildlife graphic novels, The Collected Toppi artbook series, and several titles by multiple-Eisner Award nominee Tony Sandoval. Magnetic has earned a total of 31 Eisner Award nominations in each year of eligibility since their debut, winning their first Eisner last year for Best Production Design for Georges Bess's Dracula and Frankenstein adaptations. Magnetic also won the Gold Medal of Excellence in the graphic novel category of the 2015 Independent Publisher Awards for Love: The Fox.
Since 2020, Magnetic Press (under the production account Neurobellum Inc) has launched and fulfilled numerous successful crowdfunding campaigns, producing and shipping over 40,000 pledge packages to satisfied and frequently returning backers. The premium quality of their exclusive boxed sets and deluxe slipcase editions has set the bar for collectible editions.
